Reflecting device



L'MLWQ Dec. 24-, 1929, H. F. DELMANHOR$T REFLECTING DEVICE Fied May ll, 1928 1 NV EN TOR. flrmmzi'raknklifielmwzkam A TTORNE Y.

Patented Dec. 24, 1929 UNITED STATES 4 PATENT OFFICE MESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO LOUISVILLE FROG,

SWITCH & SIGNAL COMPANY, OF

LOUISVILLE, KENTUCKY, A. CORPORATION EEFLECTING DEVICE Application filed May 11, 1928. Serial No. 276,998.

This invention relates to a lens cap, holder or carrier for use in connection with reflector devices of that type whereby incidental light is reflected so as to illuminate advertising signs, signals and the like, and the invention has for its object to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a lens cap, holder or carrier forming one of the elements of and arranged relative to the other elements of a reflecting device for securing the elements of the latter together to provide a unit, and further with the cap, holder or carrier serving as a means for securing the unit to the object in which it is to be placed, that is the base of the sign or signal.

A further object of the invention is to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a lens cap, holder or carrier for a reflecting device in a manner whereby a reflector and a large part of the lens, forming elements of the reflector device-are enclosed.

Further objects of the invention are to provide, in a manner as hereinafter set forth, a lens cap, holder or carrier for a reflecting device which is simple in its construction and arrangement, strong, durable, compact, thoroughly eflicient in its use, conveniently united with a lens to enclose a large part thereof, and inexpensive to manufacture.

With the foregoing and other objects in view the invention consists of the novel construction, combination and arran ement of parts as hereinafter more speci scribed, and illustrated in the accompan ing drawings, wherein is shown an embo ment of the invention, but it is to be understood that changes, variations and modifications can be resorted to which fall within the scope of the claims hereunto appended.

In the drawings wherein like reference characters denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of a lens cap, holder or carrier in accordance with this invention showing the adaptation thereof with respect to a lens and reflector and further illustrating the reflecting unit secured to the base of a sign or signal.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the unit with the lens cap, holder or carrier in aca modified form of lens cap,

cally decor-dance with this invention and secured to the base of a sign or signal.

Figure 3 is a section on line 33 Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 of holder or carrier.

Figure 5 is a top plan View of Figure 4;.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary view in elevation of the cap, holder or carrier shown in Figure 1.

The lens cap, holder or carrier will be hereinafter termed a holder.

Thelens as illustrated in connection with each holder is generally designated at 20 and comprises a cylindrical bodyportion 21 of uniform cross section and a pair of end portions 22, 23 of convex curvature. The body portion 21 is of materially greater length than the combined length of the end portions 22, 23. The lens is bi-convex.

Each of the holders as shown is of less length than the length of the lens and is formed with a convex bottom or inner end and with the latter closed. A reflector conforms in contour to the inner face of the bottomor inner end of the holder and the reflector can be set up in any suitable manner and preferably the inner face of the inner end or closed bottom of each holder can be silvered or formed in any suitable manner to provide the reflector and which is designated 24 With respect to each form of holder illustrated.

Referring to Figures 1, 2 and -3 of the drawings the holder comprises a cylindrical body portion 25 open at its outer end and having a closed, convexed inner end or bottom 26. The body portion 25 in proximity to its open end is formed witha laterally extending annular flange 27 which merges into an annular portion 28, terminating in a laterally extending annular flange 29 formed with spaced openings 30. That part of the body portion 25 extending inwardly from the flange 27 to the inner end 26 is of an inner diameter to snugly fitgthe body portion 21 of the lens 20. The portion 28 is oflset relative to that part of the body portion 25 extending inwardly from the flange 27 The portion 28 is disposed in a plane disposed concentric to the remaining part of the body portion 25.

, of a sign or signal and which is formed with against the outer face of the base- 31 a socket 32 having a stepped wall to form a shoulder 33. The flange 27 seats on the shoulder '33 and the annular portion 28 has its edge flush with the outer .face of the base 31. The flange 29 is mounted and secured thereto by countersunk holdfast devices 34 which extend through the openings 30 and engage in the base 31. The

diameter of the body portion 25 of the holder is such as to snugly fit the wall of the socket 32.

The lens'20 is of greater length than the length of the holder and the convexedend 23 of the lens 20 snugly seats against the reflector 24. The body portion 21 of the lens 20 projects beyond the flange 29.

The flange 27, in connection with the annular portion 28 and body portion'21 of the lens 20 provides a pocket for a securing and sealing medium 35. The holder provides means for securing .the reflector 24 and lens 20 together to provide a unit. The sealing material or medium secures the .holder to the lens 20 and possessesv a characteristic which will prevent moisture or foreign matter from getting in contact with the reflector 24 so as not to destroy itsreflecting function. The flange 29 in connection with the holdfast devices 34provides means for securing the unit to the sign or signal.

In the form shown in Figure 4 the'holder which is indicated at 40 is constructed similarly to the holder 36, but with this exception that theannular portion 41 of the holder is provided with a flange 42 formed with a plurality of bendable lugs 43. The unit is slipped through the opening 44 formed in the plate or board 45 and the latter is provided with openings orslots 46 for the passage of the lugs 43 which are bent against the outer face of the plate or board 45 whereby the unit is anchored in position. Otherwise than that as stated the holder 40 is constructed similarly tothe holder 36 or to the holder shown in Figure 1. The flange 42 abuts the inner face of the plate.

The combined sealing and securingmedium is indicated, at 35. When the elements of the unitare arranged together a part of the body portion 21 of each lens projects from the outer end of the holtler. The inner end of a bi-convex lens is to rest against the reflector 24, and the latter is to conform to the shape 7 of such inner end and such shape will conform to that of thebottom or inner end of the holder.

The reflecting unit 'is commonly used in the construction of road indicators and other signs which at night are illuminated or rendered visible by the reflection of light coming from the lamps of motor vehicles or some other extraneous source. The units can 'though the unit is designed primarily for road indicators and other signs, yet it is to-be understoodthat it can be employed for form-, ing symbols, letters, fi ures and also in connection with buoysor or any other purposes for which it is found applicable.

It is thought the many advantages of a reflecting device or unit in accordance with this invention, more particularly the lens holder forming an element thereof, can be readily understood, and although the preferred embodiment of the invention is as .illustrated and described, yet it. is to be understood that changes in the details of-construction can be had which fall within the scope of the inventio as claimed.

hat I claim is:

1. In a reflecting device a lens holder of less length than the lens mounted therein, said lens holder including a hollow body portion having a closed inner end'and an open outer end, 'said body having a part thereof for snug engagement witha part of the lens, the other part of saidbody offset with respect to the lens and providing in connection therewith a-pocket for the reception of a means for connecting the lens to said body and for sealing that part of the body which snugly enrespect to the lens, said oflset part of said body being flanged at its outer end.

2. In a reflecting device a lens holder of less length than the lens mounted therein, said lens holder including a hollow body portion having a close innerend and an open outer end,said body having a part thereof for snug engagement with a part of the lens, the other part of said bod ofiset with respect to the lens and providing in connection. therewith a pocket for the reception of a means for connecting the lens to said bod and for sealing that part of the body whic snugly engages the lens, the closed inner end of said body being of convex contour and having its inner face provided with a reflecting means conforming in contour to and adapted to abut throughout the inner end of gagement with the lens being of materially greater length than that part of said body oifset with respect to the lens, said ofiset part a of said body being flanged at its outer end.

' 3. In a reflecting device a lens holder com-,

the lens, that part of said body for snug-enrespect to and connected with said ig ner part and providing inconnection with the lens 'a' pocket for the reception of a means for connecting the lens to said body and for sealing said inner part, said oifset part of said body hereto.

being flanged at its outer end.

4:. In a reflecting device a lens holder comprising a hollow body having a closed inner end and an open outer end, said body including an inner part and an outer part for surrounding the lens, said outer part offset with respect to and connected with said inner part and providing in connection with the lens a pocket for the reception of a means for connecting the lens to said body and for sealing said inner part, the closed inner end of said body conforming in contour to the shape of the inner end of the lens and having its inner face provided with a reflecting means, said oflset part of said body being flanged at its outer end.

5. In a reflectin device, a lens holder comprising a hollow ody portion open at one ing part being of an inner diameter for snug- 1y fitting the lens, and said ofiset part providing in connection with the lens and inner flange a pocket for the reception of means for connecting the lens to said body portion and for sealing that part for snugly fitting the lens.

In testimony whereof, I aifix my signature HERMAN FREDERICK DELMANHORST. 

